EA's Weekly Comic Book Reviews - Week 15

[Everlost_MI]

Welcome to week fifteen of Evil Avatar’s Weekly Comic Book Reviews.

The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week fifteen is Gravity #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for entry submissions for week fourteen is Sunday, June 19th. The selection of the random winner for the June books will occur on Sunday June 26th. Remember, you can submit one entry each week to increase your chances of winning.

The list of books that are going to be given away for the month of June are:

• Green Lantern #1
• House of M #1
• Gravity #1

Remember, these are NOT spoiler-free reviews.

This week's reviews are Gravity #1 and The Pulse #9.

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/gravity001.jpg http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/pulse009.jpg

[Everlost_MI]

Week Fifteen:

Gravity #1 of 5

Writer: Sean McKeever
Penciler: Mike Norton
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Colors: Guru EFX
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Mackenzie Cadenhead
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN

http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/gravity001.jpg

Gravity is Greg Willis, a college freshman that not only gains superpowers but also actually wants to be a superhero. He desperately tries to be accepted into the ranks of superheroes but only makes matters worse when he not only punches out Rage (formerly of the New Warriors and the Avengers) but also inadvertently aids in a carjacking. This is a different spin on a likeable character, who yet to be tainted with loss or guilt. Gravity/Willis is not only caught up in the glory and excitement of possibly being a superhero but he plans on capitalizing on his new superhero fame. So far, Gravity’s exact powers and how he acquired them have yet to be revealed, but based on this initial issue I am sure it will be a fun read.

Sean McKeever crafts a well paced story full of great dialogue, characterizations and nods to various Marvel Universe characters from the A list, The Thing and Iron Man to the C list, such as Rage and Black Death. The characterization of Gravity/Willis as he struggles with his costume while lamenting what Spider-Man would do in this situation to his naïvity while trying to breaking into superherodom really brings the character to life. The artwork by Mike Norton is crisp and enjoyable. The costume design for Gravity is a respectable nod to the superhero costumes of the 70’s without coming across cheesy. The only complaint about the artwork is the inking could have been stronger to really make the pencils stand out a bit more.

I would enjoy seeing more of Gravity. He would be an excellent fit in a team book such as the Runaways. As good as this issue was, I am afraid the character and the series if it ever went to a regular monthly might get lost in the shuffle of similar titles such as the Ultimate Spider-Man or Invincible.

Bottom Line:
The story, characters and artwork are fun and this book is something kids as young as 8 or as old as 80 could enjoy. This book is worth your money.

9/10

The Pulse #9 (An ongoing series)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Michael Lark
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Colorist: Peter Pantazis
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Editor: Andy Schmidt
Price: $2.99 US/$4.25 CAN
http://www.evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/comics/pulse009.jpg

Wow. Well the Secret War miniseries really killed this ongoing series. This book has been delayed since it was tied to the Secret War miniseries, that’s STILL not complete. However, in the big picture of things it doesn’t matter since this issue and the recent issue of The New Avengers show the fallout of the Secret Wars.

Brian Michael Bendis does a good job with the dialogue but his characterizations are a bit off as Danny Rand/Iron Fist takes a weird stance with Jessica Jones/Alias as she tries to see Luke Cage/Power Man. Danny even doubts that Jessica is carrying Luke’s baby. In addition, the much-delayed plot that was resolved in other titles takes away from any possible suspense in the story. The only semi-interesting item of note was Nick Fury’s “final goodbye” as he is going to disappear from the results of Secret War. Michael Lark’s artwork is decent but it’s Peter Pantazis colors that really add dimension to the story.

The good news is this series isn’t tied into the Secret War miniseries, the bad news is the next issue is tied in with the House of M. Can’t this book just stand on it’s own for at least one issue without having to be tied to some crossover or miniseries?

Bottom Line:
If you aren’t disgruntled with the series being a weak interlude between major crossovers, then it’s worth the money. If not, save your money and get the latest issue of Ultimate Fantastic Four or Gravity.

3/10

What else is worth reading this week…
• Ultimate Fantastic Four #19 – The artwork by Jae Lee helps bridge the gap from Warren Ellis to Mark Millar and Greg Land (X-Men: Phoenix Endsong artists)


The Evil Avatar’s Comic Book Review Weekly giveaway for week fifteen is Gravity #1 courtesy of BCBcomics (http://www.bcbcomics.com/). The deadline for week nine entry submissions is Sunday, June 19th. Click here (everlost_mi@evilavatar.com) to submit your entry and don’t forget to include your Evil Avatar screenname.

Remember, you can submit one entry per week to increase your chances of winning.

[InstaPete]

2 things :

1) if you like Sean McKeever, check out his AWESOME series "The Waiting Place". There's 3(?) TPBs out now, and it gets better as the story goes on. School/life in a small town, kind of Freaks and Geeks-ish. Real good stuff.

2) Greg LAND (Nightwing, Birds of Prey, etc) is taking over the art on Ultimate FF, not Greg PAK. Honest mistake!

[Justin_McElroy]

I thought the lead characters in UFF were well handled this month, but I found the main baddie's dialogue confusing, distracting and difficult to read. The pacing also seemed a little odd, feeling like a 6-part story crammed into two issues.

Stay Gold,

Justin

[Everlost_MI]

2) Greg LAND (Nightwing, Birds of Prey, etc) is taking over the art on Ultimate FF, not Greg PAK. Honest mistake!

Thanks! I fixed it. :)

[Everlost_MI]

I thought the lead characters in UFF were well handled this month, but I found the main baddie's dialogue confusing, distracting and difficult to read. The pacing also seemed a little odd, feeling like a 6-part story crammed into two issues.

Stay Gold,

Justin

Yeah the villian's dialgoue was odd but do you think it's better to cram a six part story into a shorter arc or drag a two part story into a longer arc?

I chose the former but if it's the latter I'll wait for the TPB. :)

[Kish]

Year One: Batman/Ra's Al Ghul #1 is also out this week.

http://www.dccomics.com/media/excerpts/3614_x.pdf

[Rommel]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite features on EA. I get to experience comic geekdom again.... without having to actually become part of comic geekdom.

[Everlost_MI]

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite features on EA. I get to experience comic geekdom again.... without having to actually become part of comic geekdom.

Thank you! I appreciate the kind words, I really enjoy writing this feature every week.
And don't forget you can get part of the comic geekdom for free if you enter the contest.

[Rommel]

Which I still don't know how to do.

[Kish]

Click here (everlost_mi@evilavatar.com) to submit your entry and don’t forget to include your Evil Avatar screenname.

Remember, you can submit one entry per week to increase your chances of winning.

That should help you Rommel.